Effects of Ethanol Bark Extract of Mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla) on Clinico-Pathological Parameters of Cockerels Challenged with Kudu 113 NDV Strain

Background and Objective: Newcastle disease (ND) is an economically important disease and a major threat to the poultry industry. This study was carried out to investigate the effects of ethanol bark extract of mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla) in the management of ND in chickens challenged with Kudu 113, a velogenic strain of Newcastle Disease Virus (vNDVirus). Materials and Methods: Ethanol bark extraction of Swietenia macrophylla was carried out, phytochemical and proximate analysis was done and its safety on chickens was determined using up and procedure. One hundred and fifty, 4 weeks old Cockerels were used for the study. The 5 groups were constituting of A: Negative control given normal feed and water, B: Positive control given only the extract, C: Given normal feed and water and challenged with the virus, D: Given the extract after challenge and E: Given the extract before challenge. Results: The extract contained some secondary metabolites and had a wide safety margin. Group E had delayed onset of ND by 24 hrs compared to C and D. Morbidity rate was (100.0%) in group C, followed by group D (90.0%) and group E (73.3%) while the mortality rate was (93.3%) in group C, followed by D (86.7%) and lowest in E (66.7%) with 95% confidence interval using Chi-square and p<0.05 considered significant. Conclusion: Oral administration of ethanol bark extract of S. macrophylla in drinking water at 5500 mg/kg resulted in low morbidity and mortality rates, mild to moderate clinical signs and mild to moderate post-mortem lesions in chickens challenged with Newcastle disease virus Kudu 113 strain.